Photo by Kim North Monroe Central’s Kennadi Jorris celebrates her three-run homer during the third inning of Tuesday’s OVAC Class 3A semifinal against Wheeling Central on Ben’s Field at the I-470 J.B. Chambers Complex in Elm Grove. The Seminoles prevailed, 5-2.

ELM GROVE – Monroe Central gave credence to the age-old adage that it is tough to beat a good team three times in the same season.

The Lady Seminoles, who dropped a pair of regular-season contests to Wheeling Central, gained a huge measure of revenge via a 5-2 quickly-played win over the Lady Knights in the OVAC 3A Tournament semifinals Tuesday at the J.B. Chambers I-470 Complex.

The coveted triumph was the 17th in 21 starts for Monroe Central and propels Coach Paris Yoho’s squad into the championship game against Martins Ferry. The Purple Riders toppled Columbiana, 12-3, to punch their ticket into the title tilt.

Wheeling Central saw its record dip to 14-5.

“We have a lot of respect for Wheeling Central softball,” Yoho said. “They have an excellent program every year. They also beat us twice this year.

“But in both games against them this year I don’t think we showed our true potential. Today, we did a better job of doing so,” he added. “We are an extremely young team. So, I am proud of how they performed in a very big game.”

A change in Yoho’s coaching philosophy was a major factor in Monroe Central’s win. Like clock-work, Yoho uses two pitchers in every game. Such was not the case yesterday as Allie McFrederick went the route.

The move paid immense dividends.

McFrederick allowed just four hits, striking out two and walking a pair. She was never in serious trouble.

“We were going to change pitchers as usual,” Yoho said. “But Allie came up to me and said “‘don’t take me out. I want to finish this.”‘ With that said, you can’t take her out. She pitched really, really well.”

Monroe Central took a 1-0 second-inning lead courtesy of an unearned run. Olivia Earley delivered an RBI single after the Lady Knights misplayed a ground ball.

The Lady Seminoles stretched their advantage to 4-0 in the third inning. With two outs, Jadyn Miller and Kamryn Winland both singled. Freshman standout Kennadi Jorris proceeded to unload her fifth home run of the season.

Wheeling Central responded with a pair of runs in the fourth frame.

West Virginia Wesleyan commit Bella Rine opened by drawing a base-on-balls. After a groundout, sophomore slugger Chloe Groome delivered a run-scoring single. Groome came home on an RBI single from Seneca Heller.

Monroe Central added an insurance run in the fifth. Brylee McFrederick walked and scored on an Earley single.

Allie McFrederick was dominant over the last three innings in the circle, retiring eight of the final nine batters she faced.

“It was a tough night for us,” Wheeling Central head coach Buck Davidson said. “We got down early and then we couldn’t put some hits together. Their pitcher did a nice job.

“Give Monroe Central credit. They hit it well and made all the plays in the field,” he continued. “But this is a learning lesson for us. You just can’t show up.You got to be ready to play.”

Monroe Central ended with 11 hits. Miller led the way with three singles and a sacrifice bunt. Winland and Earley each checked in with two hits for the winners. McClarin Craft drilled a double for the Lady Seminoles.

Southpaw Katie Jokovich-Palmer started in the circle for Wheeling Central. She fanned three and did not issue a walk before giving way to Olivia Kiaski in the third. Kiaski went the balance, striking out two and walking one.

“This was a nice win. I am proud of how the girls played,” Yoho said. “But I have said all along that our goal is to win the OVAC. So, we still have work to do.”